Tugmuts Archive Doggie Swim ladders

[Safar]

I just bought a new R-27 and intend to take our Griff puppy, Salty, cruising with us. At 6 months, he
's already earned his name--loves the water and all boats. My concern is that, when we're at anchor or moored, he will go swimming on his own and will need a way to get back on the swim platform. Even if we send him swimming or go swimming with him ourselves, getting him back on board will be a problem as the swim ladder on the new R-27s is not well setup for human use much less dog use. Does anyone have a recommendation for a commercially available doggie ladder that works well? Or, alternatively, has someone come up with a custom design that works well?

 

[stwendl]

How about a ramp used for loading motor bikes on a truck. They are made of aluminum, can be folded and with a float attached somewhere in the middle can be attached to the swim platform in such a way that dogs can climb up

 

[Safar]

Thanks for the interesting idea. With some floats, stainless wire and clamps, it could well work. I'll research it a bit more.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the interesting idea. With some floats, stainless wire and clamps, it could well work. I'll research it a bit more.

I'd just make something out of plywood with some slats across it for traction for testing. Dogs all react differently and it will likely take some experimentation to see what works for your pooch. Luckily mine stays in the boat. She just routinely falls out of the dingy when we're around to pull her out.

 

[BradOwens]

You may want to do a Google search for "Pawz Aboard Dog Swim Ladder."

 

[NorthernFocus]

You may want to do a Google search for "Pawz Aboard Dog Swim Ladder."

That one looks promising. I think the trick is that part of it has to be submerged far enough for them to get their back feet on it. At least with our dog(GSP) that is what makes a difference whether or not she can climb onto/into something. She can pull herself about half way into an inflatable then just hangs there and flails her hind feet.

 

[Red Raven]

I don’t have a dog any longer but I’m a big fan of using what is already available on the boat for as many uses as possible. It seems to me you already have a significant feature on the boat for what could be used as a doggie boarding ramp. The swim ladder! What I’m imagining is extending the swim ladder to the appropriate length and tying it off to the swim rail with a line so that it cannot extend or lower further than required. Then attach a ramp made of plastic or wood (likely with holes in it to help it sink) to the ladder (this would also control the extension length). Suitable quick attachments could be fashioned to eliminate the tying. You can then use the line to lower and pull it up and even tie it off to the swim rail when under way to be ready for the next deboarding/boarding!

Curt

 

[rehurst]

Check on Amazon and be amazed at all the possibilities.

 

[Safar]

Thanks to all for the ideas. I am certainly in agreement with the TugNuts who suggested using what's available. Space after all is at a premium. I do think I can probably make a plastic or plywood ramp with grip slats that works with the swim ladder and swim platform rail to provide the appropriate solution.

If anyone has a recommendation for a doggie PFD that they've found particularly good for a mid-size to largish dog (expected final weight about 65#), that would also be appreciated. My pup, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is an excellent swimmer but I plan, when at anchor or mooring, to suit him up as he is likely to go off swimming by himself. That's also why we need a good ladder solution.

 

[Seaquel]

Is the ladder on the new R27 OB different than that on the previous R27 "Classic"?
Our Golden Retriever, Moxie, actually uses the existing "people ladder" on Seaquel to climb back aboard. We taught her to do this as a puppy on Campbell Lake near Anacortes where she has been using a ladder to climb onto our dock the past four years.

 

[Safar]

I'm not familiar with the classic R-27's swim ladder. The arrangement of the new R-27's swim ladders is one of the few (so far) complaints I have about the boat--it is mounted under the swim platform and not angled out properly for convenient use and in fact seems to hang at a negative angle in under the swim platform. My dealer is supposed to correct that but I doubt that will fix the problem for dog entry. I can see how a dog (a very handy one) might handle the steps, but how does it grab on to the swim platform for the last lurch aboard?

 

[Ocalatug]

Take a look at this link:
https://swimline.com/products/pup-plank